Variable stride elliptical exercise apparatus

Abstract

The present invention relates to a standup exercise apparatus that simulates walking, jogging and climbing with arm exercise. More particularly, the present invention relates to an exercise machine having separately supported pedals for the feet and arm exercise coordinated with the motion of the feet. Elliptical trainers guide the feet along a generally elliptical shaped curve to simulate the motions of jogging and climbing. Existing elliptical trainers consume excessive floorspace and often lack adjustable pedal motion. The present invention is an improved elliptical exercise machine capable of extended exercise with adjustable pedal motion. Adjustment can be automatic during operation or manual. Handles are provided for coordinated arm exercise.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. An exercise machine comprising: 
       a framework, said framework configured to be supported by the floor;  
       a pair of foot support members, each having a first portion, a second portion and a foot engaging pedal;  
       a crank, said crank rotatably attached to said framework projecting outwardly therefrom on both sides thereof;  
       a pair of crank assemblies, each said crank assembly including said crank, a rocker link, said rocker link pivotally connected to said framework and a coupler link, said coupler link pivotally connected to said rocker link and said crank;  
       a pair of rollers, each said roller operably associated with said crank assembly and said foot support member to cause said second portion of said foot support member to have generally up and down movement;  
       a pair of guides, each said guide pivotally connected to said foot support member and said framework;  
       a pair of control assemblies, each control assembly operably associated with said crank assembly and said guide to cause said first portion of said foot support member to have generally back and forth movement;  
       said pedal configured to move relative to said framework when the foot of the user is rotating said crank whereby said pedal follows an elongate curve path.  
     
     
       2. The exercise machine according to  claim 1  wherein said elongate curve path is generally elliptical in shape. 
     
     
       3. The exercise machine according to  claim 1  further comprising a means for adjustment, said means for adjustment configured to cause the geometry of said elongate curve to change. 
     
     
       4. The exercise machine according to  claim 3  wherein said means for adjustment includes an actuator, said actuator operably associated with said control assembly to change the back and forth movement of said guide. 
     
     
       5. The exercise machine according to  claim 1  wherein said control assembly comprises a guide extension, said guide extension attached to said guide, a rocker link extension, said rocker link extension attached to said rocker link, and a control link, said control link operably associated with said rocker link extension and said guide extension. 
     
     
       6. The exercise machine according to  claim 5  wherein said control link is connected to said guide link extension with a pivot whereby said pivot is movable relative to said guide link extension. 
     
     
       7. The exercise machine according to  claim 5  wherein said control link is connected to said rocker link extension with a pivot whereby said pivot is movable relative to said rocker link extension. 
     
     
       8. The exercise machine according to  claim 3  wherein said means for adjustment is positioned proximate the upper body of the operator for easy adjustment while standing on the exercise machine. 
     
     
       9. The exercise machine according to  claim 4  further comprising a control system, said control system allowing said actuator to be changed during operation of said exercise machine. 
     
     
       10. The exercise machine according to  claim 1  further comprising a means for arm exercise, said means for arm exercise operably associated with said pedal movement. 
     
     
       11. The exercise machine according to  claim 10  wherein said means for arm exercise comprises a pair of handles, each said handle attached to said corresponding guide. 
     
     
       12. The exercise machine according to  claim 1  further comprising a shroud, said shroud positioned below said foot support members to enclose said crank and at least a portion of said coupler links. 
     
     
       13. The exercise machine according to  claim 1  further comprising a flywheel, said flywheel rotatably connected to said framework and operably associated with said crank. 
     
     
       14. The exercise machine according to  claim 1  further comprising a load resistance, said load resistance operably associated with said crank, a means for adjustment of said load resistance and, a control system, said control system positioned within reach of the operator whereby said load resistance can be varied during operation of said exercise machine. 
     
     
       15. The exercise machine according to  claim 1  wherein said pedal is positioned intermediate said first and said second portion of said foot support member to cause said pedal to follow an elliptical curve. 
     
     
       16. The exercise machine according to  claim 1  wherein said roller is rotatably connected to said crank whereby said roller is in rollable contact with said foot support member. 
     
     
       17. The exercise machine according to  claim 1  wherein said roller is rotatably connected to said coupler link whereby said roller is in rollable contact with said foot support member. 
     
     
       18. An exercise machine comprising: 
       a framework, said framework configured to be supported by the floor;  
       a pair of foot support members, each having a first portion, a second portion and a foot engaging pedal;  
       a crank, said crank rotatably attached to said framework projecting outwardly therefrom on both sides thereof;  
       a pair of crank assemblies, each said crank assembly including said crank, a rocker link, said rocker link pivotally connected to said framework and a coupler link, said coupler link pivotally connected to said rocker link and said crank;  
       a pair of rollers, each said roller operably associated with said crank assembly and said foot support member to cause said second portion of said foot support member to have generally up and down movement;  
       a pair of guides, each said guide pivotally connected to said foot support member and said framework;  
       a pair of control assemblies, each control assembly comprising a rocker link extension, said rocker link extension attached to said rocker link, a guide extension, said guide extension attached to said guide and a control link, said control link operably associated with said rocker link extension and said guide extension to cause said first portion of said foot support member to have generally back and forth movement;  
       said pedal configured to move relative to said framework when the foot of the user is rotating said crank whereby said pedal follows an elongate curve path.  
     
     
       19. The exercise machine according to  claim 18  further comprising a means for arm exercise, said means for arm exercise operably associated with said guide. 
     
     
       20. The exercise machine according to  claim 18  further comprising a coupler extension, said coupler extension attached to said coupler link whereby said roller is positioned on said coupler extension offset relative to a line connecting the crank pivot and rocker pivot of said coupler link. 
     
     
       21. The exercise machine according to  claim 18  further comprising a means for adjustment, said means for adjustment configured to cause the geometry of said elongate curve to change. 
     
     
       22. The exercise machine according to  claim 21  wherein said means for adjustment includes a control system, said control system positioned within easy reach of the operator and, an actuator, said actuator operably associated with said control system and said control assembly to change the back and forth movement of said guide during operation of said exercise machine. 
     
     
       23. The exercise machine according to  claim 18  wherein said means for adjustment is manual, said manual means for adjustment positioned for easy access by said user. 
     
     
       24. The exercise machine according to  claim 18  wherein said control link is connected to said rocker link extension with a pivot whereby said pivot is movable relative to said rocker link extension. 
     
     
       25. An exercise machine comprising: 
       a framework, said framework configured to be supported by the floor;  
       a pair of foot support members, each having a first portion, a second portion and a foot engaging pedal;  
       a crank, said crank rotatably attached to said framework projecting outwardly therefrom on both sides thereof;  
       a pair of crank assemblies, each said crank assembly including said crank, a rocker link, said rocker link pivotally connected to said framework and a coupler link, said coupler link pivotally connected to said rocker link and said crank;  
       a pair of rollers, each said roller operably associated with said crank assembly and said foot support member to cause said second portion of said foot support member to have generally up and down movement;  
       a pair of guides, each said guide pivotally connected to said foot support member and said framework;  
       a pair of control assemblies, each control assembly operably associated with said crank assembly and said guide to cause said first portion of said foot support member to have generally back and forth movement;  
       a means for adjustment, said means for adjustment operably associated with said control assembly and said guide;  
       said pedal configured to move relative to said framework when the foot of the user is rotating said crank whereby said pedal follows an elongate curve path that can be changed by said means for adjustment.  
     
     
       26. The exercise machine according to  claim 25  further comprising a means for arm exercise, said means for arm exercise operably associated with said exercise machine. 
     
     
       27. The exercise machine according to  claim 25  wherein said means for adjustment includes a control system, said control system positioned within easy reach of the operator and, an actuator, said actuator operably associated with said control system and said control assembly to change the back and forth movement of said guide during operation of said exercise machine. 
     
     
       28. The exercise machine according to  claim 25  wherein said means for adjustment is manual, said manual means for adjustment positioned for easy access by said user. 
     
     
       29. The exercise machine according to  claim 25  wherein said control assembly comprises a guide extension, said guide extension attached to said guide, a rocker link extension, said rocker link extension attached to said rocker link, and a control link, said control link operably associated with said rocker link extension and said guide extension. 
     
     
       30. The exercise machine according to  claim 29  wherein said control link is connected to said rocker link extension with a pivot whereby said pivot is movable relative to said rocker link extension. 
     
     
       31. The exercise machine according to  claim 29  wherein said control link is connected to said guide link extension with a pivot whereby said pivot is movable relative to said guide link extension.